Page 15 of Blood & Betrayals

“Yes?”

“Hell?”

Professor Ambrose nods, seeming impressed. “Ah yes, the more fiery of the Locked Realms. Does anyone know why Hell is a closed realm?”

“Cause demons are assholes,” a shifter pipes up.

Professor Ambrose shoots him a dark look. “Incorrect, Mr. Henderson.” He narrows his eyes at the dark-haired shifter, who wisely decides to shut his mouth. “Hell is closed as the demons require a solace where they can enjoy their depravity from time to time. Believe it or not, this is for the benefit of all. Many species here have similar realms to call home, often called a source realm. Any others?”

Alice raises her hand. “Draculea.”

“Correct, Ms. Legosi. Your own realm is a Locked Realm, and it has been for millennia. Only very recently, with the death of your progenitor, have beings like yourself been allowed to leave the realm.”

Alice sighs and sits back in her seat. She hisses under her breath so only I can hear, “And by beings, you meanwomen.”

“Mr. Morningstar?” Professor Ambrose hands Connor a hat with many small pieces of paper. “Will you hand these out?”

Connor stands and takes the hat from the professor, walking along the row of desks. Each student picks a sliver of paper. There are gasps of excitement and moans of despair as people react to the realms they have selected. As he makes his way to me, my hair stands on the back of my neck, my stomach knotting in dread. He leans down, his eyes level with mine, that maddening smirk pulling at his lips.

“Hello, mystery girl,” he murmurs smugly.

I look up at him and select a slip of paper. I drag my gaze away from him, and suddenly, the apprehension about talking to Connor is completely eclipsed by the writing on the crisp piece of paper in my hand. It’s one word, softly curling out, the six letters taunting me.

Faerie.

“Mr. Morningstar, have you handed them all out?”

Connor straightens and glances back at the professor. “Yes, professor,” he replies, returning to the front of the room.

Alice nudges me, whispering, “What did you get?”

My gaze remains locked on the word. If I thought my stomach was in knots before, it’s nothing compared to how it twists now.

“Summer?”

I glance at Alice, closing the slip of paper into my fist. “Oh, nowhere exciting.”

The second class ends, I launch up and practically run to the front of the class.

“Professor Ambrose?” I ask, even as he directs the rest of the class.

“Everyone, please remember to collect the course syllabus from Mr. Morningstar as you leave!” He glances at me. “Yes, Ms…”

“Summer. I’m Summer.”

“Ah yes, Ms. Tuatha De Daanan, I should have known. How can I help you?”

“I need to change my realm for the project, professor, you see?—”

“Unfortunately, the picks are final, Ms. Tuatha De Daanan.” Professor Ambrose holds out his hand to see which realm I chose.

I place the slip of paper in his hand. “But you see, professor, there are extenuating circumstances?—”

“Ah, the great Lost Realm of Faerie! I understand why that would be difficult for you, Ms. Tuatha De Daanan, but you selected this subject for a reason, and therefore, it stands.”

“But—”

“I understand you’re hesitant to do your source realm, but given the fact you, like the other fae students, have neverstepped foot in the realm, the previous rule does not apply. You will interview me, given that the only beings who have visited Faerie are those who are attendants of the king and other faculty.”

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